European physicians condemn impact of Russian anti-gay law on HIV prevention and care

14th European AIDS Conference opens with strong political statements

Keith Alcorn

Published: 16 October 2013

Tamás Berezcky of the European AIDS Treatment Group. Photo by Liz Highleyman, hivandhepatitis.com

The European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) has strongly
condemned the discriminatory legal and policy environment being promoted by
Russian politicians against gay men, lesbians and transgender people.

In a statement issued on the opening day of the 14th
European AIDS Conference in Brussels, the European AIDS Clinical Society called on
the Russian Federation to abolish recent legislation which imposes substantial fines
on Russian nationals accused of engaging in “propaganda of non-traditional
sexual relations amongst minors”. Foreign citizens face up to 14 days in prison
and deportation for the same offence.

The bill also outlaws the “obtrusive spreading of
information about non-traditional sexual relationships that may arouse interest
in such relationships”.

“We are concerned that these provisions not only affect
basic human rights, but also result in harmful public health policy since they
add to the already-existing barriers related to HIV prevention, diagnosis,
access and retention in care”, EACS stated. “The legal framework in States
should do everything to reduce stigmatisation.”

Russian politicians have been extremely resistant to
lobbying from foreign politicians on questions of human rights, not least on recent
legislation and rhetoric which seeks to stigmatise and marginalise alternative
sexualities. In a recent
interview, President Putin insisted that no discrimination against gay
people existed in Russia.

But Georgia’s President Mikheil Saakashvili expressed
concern last month over the way in which Russian politicians are using
anti-gay rhetoric to promote anti-Western and anti-democratic values throughout
the countries of the former Soviet Union.

A similar law has recently been passed in Moldova and was
narrowly rejected by Armenia’s parliament last month.

In view of this
hostility to Western influences, some have questioned whether lobbying by
foreign non-governmental organisations will have any impact.

“As scientists we have a moral obligation to say what is
unethical and unacceptable”, said Professor Nathan Clumeck, Co-Chair of the 14th
European AIDS Conference. “To be silent is to be complicit.”

“Another reason [to make a statement] is to encourage
physicians”, said Professor Manuel Battegay, EACS President.

“People with HIV can make an impact if they see that they
get support from physicians. Look at what happened in Ukraine over the past 18
months, where patients fought for access to treatment and diagnostic tests”,
said Tamás Berezcky, a Hungarian member of the European AIDS Treatment Group.

“Instead of trying to keep people alive using scientific
evidence, the Russian government is using church morality. These laws keep
people silent, and silence is still death”, he went on.

The legislation followed nearly a decade of increasing
political and social hostility towards gay, lesbian and transgender people in
the Russian Federation, including the banning of gay rights parades in Moscow
and other Russian cities. In 2011, the European Court of Human Rights fined the
Russian government for violating Articles 11, 13 and 14 of the European
Convention on Human Rights, as a result of 164 bans on gay pride marches and
events between 2006 and 2008.

Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom has
attempted to raise the issue of anti-gay legislation with President Putin, but,
“Russia is not ready to take lessons from anyone. The European Union needs to
work with other countries at the level of diplomacy. The EU has to remain strong
on its values and its ethical stance against homophobia, xenophobia, against
discrimination,” said Professor Michel Kazatchkine, the UN Secretary-General’s
Special Envoy on HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

NAM is sending four news summary bulletins by email from the 14th European AIDS Conference, available in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Russian. Sign up on our conference page at www.aidsmap.com/eacs2013

NAM's coverage of the 14th European AIDS Conference has been made possible thanks to support from the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) and Merck & Co., Inc.

NAM’s information is intended to support, rather than replace, consultation with a healthcare professional. Talk to your doctor or another member of your healthcare team for advice tailored to your situation.